Temporary binder.



No. 769,686. PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904. J. B. BARLOW.

TEMPORARY BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1904.

awmmm $444 73. Baa/ f Meme/1 l vitmmw UNITED STATES Patented September 13, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

TEMPORARY BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 769,686, dated September 13, 1904.

Application filed March 31 1904. Serial No. 200,966. (No model.)

To (LU 'whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. BARLOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful 1mprovements in Temporary Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and useful temporary binder for binding bills or any loose sheets of paper temporarily; and the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The objects of the invention are, first, to produce a cheap and efiicient means for binding loose sheets of paper; second, to combine with a base and posts a spring binding mechanism for retaining the sheets in place and at the same time to allow for additions and removals of the paper sheets; third, to form a temporary binder from which the sheets can be readily removed for permanent binding; fourth, other objects hereinafter pointed out in the specification. These objects I accomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the binder nearly tilled with sheets of paper. Fig. 52 shows a perspective view of the bindingstrip and locking-spring detached from the binder, the same being shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 shows a transverse sectional view of the base of the binder and an elevation of one of the binding-posts. Fig. 4 shows a view, partially in section, on the line Y Y of Fig. 1.

Similar lettersrefer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The base of the binder in the example of my invention shown in the drawings consists of three parts, the lower strip B, made preferably of paper and extending the entire width of the binder, as shown, preferably extending beyond the sheets of paper placed thereon a slight distance. The upper part of the base is shown by A, which is also preferably made of the same material as is the strip B, but is shortened at the back of the binder to leave room for the metallic strip C, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The strips or plates A and B may,

however, be constructed in one piece, being cut away so as to leave room for the metallic strip hereinafter described. The metallic strip C is supported upon the base-strip B and rests against the shoulder of A. It is preferably made of metal and is provided with screwthreaded openings, with which the posts D are adapted to be detachably engaged. The retaining-posts D are preferably hollow, and each post is provided with an external screwthread at its lower end, adapted to be engaged with the scre\\"thread in the metallic strip C. The upper end of each post D is provided with corrugations or serrations, so that it may be readily engaged by the locking-spring H, as hereinafter described. Each post D is preferably provided at its upper end with a slot, so that it may be engaged with and disengaged from the strip Cby means of an ordinary screw-driver.

E represents the cover of the temporary binder, which is flexibly connected to the back strip F, as shown. The strip F is held in contact with the bound sheets of paper by means of the binding-strip shown by G. The binding-strip G may be constructed of any suitable material, and said binding-strips G and F are preferably secured together by means of eyelets. Any suitable means, howeyer, may be used. Openings through the strip F and binding-strip Ur, registering with and corresponding in number to the number of posts used, are adapted to receive said posts, so that the strip F may closely contact with the bound sheets of paper.

Hovably attached to the binding-strip G- is the locking-spring H, which consists of a flat piece of spring metal having a substantially inverted-U-shaped bend approximately centrally thereof. The U-shaped bend extends perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal locking-arms and forms a handle for manipulating the strip F and binding-strip (:r. The longitudinal locking-arms are of such length that their free ends extend slightly beyond the .center of the openings in the strip F and binding-strip (i, and said free ends are provided with notches adapted to partially surround the posts D and engage with the corrugations on their upper ends. This locking-spring H is provided with two or more slots or elongated openings. Through these openings are the studs I I, each stud being secured to the binding-strip G and having a head or enlarged portion whichretains the spring H in place. The expanding action of the U-shaped bend of the locking-spring normally causes the longitudinally-extending locking-arms of thelocking-spring H to move away from each other and their notched ends to partially surround the posts D and engage with the corrugations thereof; but when the vertical portions of said U-shaped bend are pressed toward each other said locking arms are caused to move toward each other and away from locking position. The longitudinal locking-arms of the locking-spring H always remain in alinement-that is to say, they always extend in the same direction whether moved toward or away from each other.

The operation of binding the loose sheets together with my device is substantially as follows: The posts D are first engaged with the base in the manner above described. The loose sheets of paper, which are provided with openings registering with the posts, are then placed upon said posts. The strip F and the cover are then applied in position, and the binding-strip, wit-h the loop of the lockingspring H compressed, is placed upon the post and pressed securely down upon the strip F. The pressure upon the spring is then removed, when the outer ends of the spring will engage with the corrugations of the post, and the binding is completed. The sheets of paper so bound together can be readily removed from the temporary binder and the permanent binder applied.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a temporary binder, the combination of a base member, binding-posts secured to said base member and extending at a right angle to the upper face thereof, said posts provided with corrugations at their upper ends, a

binding-strip provided with openings adapted to receive said posts, and a locking member formed of a flat piece of spring metal slidingly mounted upon the upper face of said binding-strip said locking member provided approximately centrally thereof with a vertically extending inverted U shaped bend, said bend adapted to normally move the ends of said locking member away from each other into engagement with the corrugations of the binding-posts, and further adapted when its vertical members are pressed together to move said ends toward each other for releasing the binding-posts.

2. In a temporary hinder, the combination of a base member, binding-posts secured to said base member and extending at a right angle to the upper face thereof, said posts provided with corrugations at the upper end thereof, a bindingstrip having openings adapted to receive said posts, and a locking member formed of a flat piece of spring metal slidingly mounted upon the upper face of said binding-strip and having its ends notched to partially surround said posts and engage the corrugations thereof, said locking member provided approximately centrally thereof with a vertically-extending inverted-U -shaped bend, said bend adapted to normally move the ends of said locking member away from each other into engagement with the corrugations of the binding-posts, and further adapted when its vertical members are pressed together to move said ends toward each other for releasing the binding-posts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN B. BARLOW.

Witnesses:

EDWARD TAGGART, MARY S. TOOKER. 

